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Peri, Thanks for the article. It's not exactly what I wanted but it was very insightful. But here's the rub ... based on your last comment -it's really no different than people have been teaching other people from the beginning of humankind (except of course for the catchy mnemonic) Well, actually it is. Because from the beginning of humankind we've been making references (cave paintings, wall diagrams, statues, books, blogs, ...) that were central to skill acquisition. Or, at least we thought they were. By omitting "reference" (or handbook, in the case of teaching scout skills) EDG

On the bright side, you got 13 more crossovers than we did this year.

Does anyone have a bibliography on the EDGE method? I've decided to stop being an armchair skeptic until I've learned how it does or does not improve a person's teaching ability. I tried Google scholar. "Trainer's EDGE" comes up with a couple of books on computer and distance instruction. "EDGE Method" brings up lots of articles in physics and math. Nothing to do with pedagogy. Is it out there under another name? What would really be interesting is some type of randomized trial. What would be gravy is if the trial involved 12 - 15 year old instructors and learners.

Okay people, this has nothing to do with my utter and complete disdain for EDGE. If I have not kept up with my water rescues, someone may die. Same with paddle safety, chainsaws, etc ... We all forget details, so being reminded every couple of years is a good idea. Each fine point remembered removes us one degree from calamity. If your not up to date with the best dog-and-pony-show you can do for your trainees, will they die? Granted, I've not formally taken trainer's edge, so maybe I'm missing something. But do you guys on the training side of things feel like refresher cou

Tell 'em that if traumatized son wants to bring up the issue, he'll have potentially 6 SM conferences and BORs to do so. If scars are too deep, he may remind us of them in his speech at his Eagle ceremony.

Our past two trips no scouts capsized. Wished I could've said the same for adults. The second guessing is endless. The best you could do is listen to the SM and understand his "risk equation" as much as it can be understood. Sometimes hugging a shoreline has disadvantages, such as submerged logs and rocks that will quickly throw a boat bobbing in high waves. Sometimes guys make bonehead moves. That's why preparedness on other levels (clothes and a drybag) makes a difference.

Picasa (i.e. Google Photos) gives me just enough to be dangerous. My crew youth use it pretty well.

Sounds like Barry's approach would fit well with the kids you have who are really gung-ho. You may have to challenge your committee to be flexible with this "side show", but more likely they will be thrilled that you want to offer a specialty program. One more thing, on your first hike, bring a guide book or maps for three options for your next tour. If your BP-ers are like mine, they are all ears about options while resting by mile markers -- not so much at meetings.

I guess what I like about Venturing and OA programs is the culture clash that is inevitible when youth A and youth B discover their respective troops have not really emphasized a particular method or another ... "You mean you really are excited about silver epaulets?" "You actually shop and cook for your crew?" "Woa! You have Mr./Mrs. ___ on speed dial?" [Or, whatever they call it these days.] "Wait, you're going hiking AFTER SUNSET????" "You'd rather camp by yourself than with another patrol in your troop?" (B.T.W., that'd be one of my boys. We perpetually ad hoc.) So, what

Any idea why Trainer's EDGE would expire? [Resisting temptation. Resisting. Failing....]Because it is a non-referential method of pedagogy; therefore, you are dependent on on someone else to remind you of it LEST YOU FORGET!!!!!

As long as the target's non-human ...

G! Sounds like a solid plan to me. Except the President and VP's are youth positions. That's right, have the kids be responsible for filling out the tour plan for next month's activity and getting it back to you for your's and the CC/COR's approval. You want the adults to be available as consultants in their area of expertise. Mine literally sit and wait for a youth to contact them before they act. Then they'll outline with the youth what needs to be done to make an activity happen. They look at the crew calendar, and take turns serving as chaperons. Every now and then they sho

Having had to instruct 1st year through 3rd year scouts to finally conquer the intimidation of the swim test, I found the picture very natural. (Although, not as photgenic that lifeguard.) The point is to get you in the frame of mind of the kid who can't seem to pass that test. It's a strange situation. You don't fit in. Nothing feels right. There's this guy who is supposed to help you, but you're stuck in some kind of limbo waiting him to give you an instruction that your body has no clue how to follow! Most boys have no problem with this situation, but every year there's that o

The next thing the G2SS should include ... A STRONG encouragement for patrols to plan overnights in the absence of adults. And directions on how to use the BSA tour plan as a tool to organize their trip, with the PL and the APL signing off as tour leaders, the SPL instead of the charter org rep or committee chair, and ultimately the SM as, well, him/herself.

Yo, G! Welcome aboard! This section isn't as active, but in proportion to the size of the program, I think that makes sense. A lot of what gets talked about in other sections is pretty useful (especially the youth leadership tips). I gotta warn you about some stuff that's not in the training manual. Some of it was from browsing this site, but most was from when our crew came online 5 years ago. You will need ... 1. coffee. 2. afternoon naps. 3. to be willing to negotiate things like light's out, use of electronic devices, uniforms, ceremonies, etc.... 3. to coordinate even

Base camp?????? that is car camping with hiking. The point of Backpacking beyond, seeing cool stuff is to cover lots of miles. You could slack pack from a moving base camp....but again whats the fun of that. The point, BD, is to give the guys who want to work on racking up miles and breaking in gear opportunities to be with the rest of their troop for part of the weekend. It is also to show the youth who opt to stay at camp to see a Backpacking team arrive in the evening, set-up, eat, sleep, and break camp before half the boys get moving in the morning. Buffalo, if you add more act

... I'm sure if you looked hard enough, you could find some Polish food that is not good. ... No need to stretch the truth to be conciliatory here.

scout - I'd be a little more drastic than what the above have suggested. I'd go to your DC and say, "My troop's UC just resigned. They'll do without until we find a replacement. We don't have to worry too much ... I hear the ASM is top-notch!" If nobody comes forward, you can still do UC-type stuff for your SM, you just wont be "wearing the patch" around him when you to it.

The best way to do this is to choose locations that have a basecamp along a trail that the backpackers can hike into/out of while the non-hikers work on various scouting skills. You may have to reshuffle your patrols for that weekend. But it inspires the non-hikers to consider taking up the sport. If you have enough leadership you can do a multitier hike in a wilderness area where one group hikes in about 3 miles, the other 6, the other 8, the other 12. This gives some of the older boys some serious planning to do with "insertion" and "extraction" locations and times. Sometime

It's very hard to correct older boys' attidude. Separating the adults from the boys is a good idea on so many levels. Hopefully the adults will cook up a storm, hussle with thier clean-up duties, and have plenty of time left over to enjoy their outings. Patrols of 4 boys is kind of lean, so encourage them to recruit, recruit, recruit. Have a recruiter prize. (Special patch, dessert at adult's campfire with the newbie, etc ...) Contests that advantage younger boys include stretcher carries (build a stretcher carry your heaviest boy 100 yards in it). Crawling obstacle courses.

DON'T introduce yourself to one unit assuming you won't need to also introduce yourself to partner units. If there's a pack, troop, and crew under the same roof, be prepared to get three different opinions on everything and everyone. DO follow-up. If you say you'll be visiting monthly, do so. If you only have time to drop in less frequently, be honest up-front. DON'T state irrelevant agendas. E.g. ... UC: "I want to make sure funds from unit X are not spent in unit Y." UL: "Has anyone given you any indication that that's happened or will happened?" UC: "No, I just want to ma

Can't resist ... 2 deep is there to provide accountability ... to protect the children from predictors Because heaven help us if -- in front of impressionable youth -- an adult starts prophesying without another one present!

I think Venturing #s are still white on a red field. (Even on the new shirt which everyone avoids buying.) Can anybody find a color guide for venturers? I'm terrible at navigating these sites.

BT: In any case, I'm going to have to do a lot of hand-holding and peacemaking in the meantime. Yep. That's about it. And I don't mean this to be negative, but there will always be some kind of fence-mending going on in any unit you join. The good news is that 9 out of 10 times those fences do get mended. And, my solution with chatty folks (in the same language as mine or different) is offer them a job to do. That puts an end to a bunch of useless conversation, and usually starts a few meaningful ones.

I think LB has a point, but E92 is probably a little overcautious. Have your son run it by his scoutmaster. He'll be more aware of local custom. Remember it's your council that reviews Eagle applications. The district advancement chair may have a "rule of thumb" about how many signatures with the same last name would give rise to more scrutiny. I don't think location will be an issue. The scoutmaster will probably take your word that they are registered in another council.